Research & Writing Assignment:
During a inspection of the attic it starts with access. The attic ladder is a very important part of the inspection because there are may ways that this can be a unsafe condition for the home owner. Improper or missing fastener is the most common defect that is noted during this evaluation.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This roof was installed in 2007. The roof looks in good condition. The boot and flashing around the vent pipe is installed correctly, no cracks in the boots. The vent for the exhaust fan for the stove is also installed correctly.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Maintaining your roof is important to prevent water intrusion. Keeping leaves and debris form the valleys and gutter will help insure proper draining. Asphalt shingles are the most popular roofing material but also keep in mind metal roofing. Although metal roofing makes cost more it can protect your house better and last 2 or 3 times longer.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Multiple reasons here why I like the drone inspection, getting on the roof does give you the most intimate of experiences, by seeing defects and potential problems as a whole. Inspecting the roof is one of if not the most important part of an inspection.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Being able to understand and inspect a roof from the proper angles can provide you with a lot of information. Looking for the underlay, checking for popping nail heads, cracking or loss of granular. This all contributes to the unhealthy aspects of a roof.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
When replacing a roof and keeping the existing shingles, all the existing if its not all must be replaced with new Yves metal, and all flashings should be inspected for any where our damage and replaced as necessary. Special attention must be paid to chimney flashing
Research & Writing Assignment:
Brick veneer must be checked for any holes, penetrations,or damage. Damage can include any cracking are splitting up the brick, or mortar damage. Often, settling cracks will be evident on the corners and should be inspected carefully for structural damage.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Clearly seen in the image is the lifted flashing in multiple locations. In addition, some wood siding material deterioration is visible. The deteriorated siding material should be replaced and all flashing should be removed and properly installed. This condition will likely only get worse and, if not already, allow water penetration into the roof structure.
Research & Writing Assignment:
The selected image is of headwall flashing. Underlayment should extend up the side wall, flashing installed with additional counter-flashing installed over the base flashing. This configuration will provide the most protection against water intrusion. It is also critical these materials are installed correctly, laying flat and securely fastened.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The roof was recently installed (in past 60 days) and is in good condition. The homeowner also added extra tar around seals (vents and skylights), not because of a problem but for extra protection; however, the plumbing vents were installed improperly. The flashing base is on top of the shingle that is above the lowest shingle (last shingle) causing a gap in coverage by having a lift in the base. The tar will temporally protect the roof from leakage; however, in the future as the tar ages there will be gaps that will increase the chance of leakage. Suggest reinstalling the plumbing vent correctly.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Homeowner maintenance of ones roof will not only help increase the life of the roof but prevent leakage and damage to the roofs decking. One of the easiest ways to help your roof is to keep leaves and other debris out of the valleys and gutters. Shingles are not water proof, instead they are designed to shed water to the next shingle and so forth until the water flows off the roof. Debris in the valleys will trap the water allowing the water to seep under the shingles and damaging the deck. The homeowner may never even now there is leakage or damage until they remove the shingles, or in a long-term problem, until someone steps on the damaged area and it sinks in or the damage is such that the leak starts to show up on the interior ceiling. Debris in gutters will work about the same way; however, instead of water seeping under the shingle from the top, water from the debris in the gutter will seep in under the shingle from below it. Either way, damage is caused by moisture. As such, it is highly suggested that the homeowner keeps the valleys and gutters free of debris.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The photo shows a roof covering that is damaged. The 3 tab shingles are missing and the underlayment has been damaged exposing the roof decking. The overall condition of the roof was in poor condition. I recommended a licensed roofer evaluate the roof for repair or replacement.
Research & Writing Assignment:
The article was on anti tip brackets for free standing ranges. This is an item I check for on every inspection by grabbing the back of the oven and attempting to tip it. The majority of ranges I test are not equipped with the bracket. I recommend that they be added and noted as a safety hazard. One of the items in the article I did not know was that GE would supply one for free.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
When performing a 4-Point Evaluation for insurance companies it is important to correctly identify the type of shingles or roof covering material installed on a property.
Most insurance agents are unfamiliar with correct roofing nomenclature, particularly with regards to roof coverings.
The two moist common type of misidentified roof coverings are architectural and “3-Tab” shingles.
Some insurance policies provide discounts for architectural shingles. As such, correct identification of roof covering type is critical.
Research & Writing Assignment:
When performing 4-Point Insurance evaluations, the presence of certain types of wiring and circuit breaker panels can affect the insurability of a property.
Federal Pacific circuit breaker panels are almost always rejected by insurance companies due to manufacturing deficiencies and other issues.
Solid-core aluminum branch wiring in residential dwellings is also a “red flag” for insurers.
It is important to become familiar with circuit breaker panel types and wiring types when performing 4-point Insurance Evaluations.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The building has a pitched roof with a laminate asphalt-composition roof surface with metal valleys. This roof drains to a gutter/downspout system. This roof has a small ridge vent.
This roof is near the end of its serviceable life and should be resurfaced within the next 2 to 3 years. We recommend that the roof surface be replaced with a new roof surface that has a nominal lifespan of at least 30 years. At the time of roof resurfacing, we recommend that additional ventilation be installed on this roof. Additionally, we recommend that drip edge flashing and rake flashing be installed with the new roof.
Research & Writing Assignment:
The “Asphalt Shingle Nailing Diagram” shows that the proper way to secure shingles is to use roofing nails with a nail head of a minimum of 3/8 inch and to drive the nail straight perpendicular to the roof surface. The nail head should be flush with the surface so it does not cause damage to the shingles or the underlayment.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Chimney crickets should be installed at the backside of chimneys when the chimney is 30 plus inches wide and has a downward roof slope at the backside. Crickets are recommended at the backside of chimneys as narrow as 24 inches in certain instances.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Flashings are an essential aspect of any sound roofing system. Flashing are installed at roofing penetrations, areas where roofing adjoins walls, etc. Flashings are typically made of metal and consist of the initial flashing and the upper edge should be covered or layered with a counter flashing.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
When you have a chimney that is over 30" wide the installation of a cricket is required. A cricket will divert water away from the back of the chimney. When a cricket is not installed water damage and occur to back back of the chimney which can lead to water penetration into the attic space which can make its way into the living space.
